READY FOR ACTION IN HER NEW ROLE THE PRINCESS OF WALES TELLS HOW HER CHILDREN ENVIED HER DAY AT AIRBASE

'She was so engaging and lovely that as soon as she started talking to me, I was really put at ease'

- ROSALIND POWELL

Flying solo while her husband was in New York, the Princess of Wales looked ready for business as she embraced a new role last week.

After being appointed Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm last month, Kate got straight to work with a visit to Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton in Somerset – one of the busiest military airfields in the UK.

During an active day, the Princess also managed to have a few laughs with staff and crew when an inflatable life jacket took her by surprise.

A SURPRISING ENCOUNTER 

On arrival, Kate was a picture of poise and elegance, wearing a favourite black blazer from Holland Cooper with a pair of black trousers and Gianvito Rossi heels as she visited key areas of the station, including the air traffic control tower and a Merlin Mk4 helicopter, which is used by the Royal Marines.

But it was a simple life jacket that seemed to make the biggest impression. As she arrived at a vast aircraft hangar, the Princess examined a range of survival kit including helmets, flotation rafts and the life jacket, which she was asked by technical staff if she’d like to try on.